Wildlife Justice Commission

The Pangolin is Out of the Bag! Behind the scenes, the Wildlife Justice Commission has been hard at work, and now we’re excited to share a glimpse of it with you. Our short documentary film, "Seizure", captures our relentless efforts to investigate and combat wildlife crime. We’re thrilled to announce that "Seizure" has been selected as a finalist at the Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival! We can’t wait to bring this important story to light and raise awareness about the urgent fight to protect endangered species. Stay tuned for more updates! #SeizureFilm #WildlifeJustice #KLEFF

“Unlike other illicit commodities, our environment is finite. Once a species is extinct or an ecosystem destroyed, there is no reversal. Waiting is no longer an option.” Our Director of External Relations and Communication Lisa Hartevelt delivered a statement at the plenary of the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). Crimes that affect the environment are serious organised crimes, facilitated by corruption across global supply chains, and often converge with other crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering. A criminal justice approach is essential in effectively addressing these crimes. 📢 Our recommendations: - Make crimes that affect the environment serious crimes under the UNTOC definition to enable the use of tools and resources available under the UNTOC to tackle these crimes effectively. - Mandate law enforcement agencies to use special investigative techniques and conduct parallel financial investigations, to map out criminal networks and pinpoint key high-level individuals. - Tackle the corruption and crime elements simultaneously in law enforcement actions. The Wildlife Justice Commission hopes that the draft resolution concerning crimes that affect the environment tabled to this #UNTOCCOP by Brazil, France & Peru will be adopted by Member States and that States remain ambitious with the provisions incorporated in the final text. 🌍 Watch the full statement: #CrimeCop #Cop12 #Vienna #UNTOC

Breaking Down Wildlife Trafficking Networks: Historic Seizures in Nigeria! On August 8, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with intelligence support from the Wildlife Justice Commission, executed two powerful operations, seizing over 9.4 tonnes of stockpiled pangolin scales and arresting four suspects involved in trafficking. This is the largest pangolin scale seizure globally since 2020, marking a huge win in the fight against wildlife crime! In Ogun, NCS uncovered 7.2 tonnes of scales, the largest ever for a Wildlife Justice Commission-supported operation, while another raid in Kaduna seized 2.294 tonnes. These operations delivered a heavy financial blow to the networks behind these illegal stockpiles, valued at over USD 1.7 million on the international market. "This result highlights the critical importance of intelligence sharing and international cooperation in our collective fight against wildlife crime,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission. It takes a network to defeat a network! Read more: bit.ly/3Y8ZN0r #EndWildlifeCrime #Nigeria #Conservation #Pangolins #WildlifeProtection

The Wildlife Justice Commission recently conducted capacity-building training in #Thailand as part of Project Galvanise! Project Galvanise is a unique initiative to protect global wildlife by developing capacity and bringing together law enforcement agencies across Southeast Asia into a Regional Intelligence Hub. The training aimed to provide participants with introductory knowledge on best practices for collecting, evaluating and using intelligence as a tool to fight #wildlifecrime. Participants included members from: - Department of National Parks (DNP) - Royal Thai Police Natural Resources Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) -Department of Special Investigation (dsi_th ) This project is funded by the Nationale Postcode Loterij and is designed to strategically support law enforcement agencies who hold important portfolios for safeguarding protected landscapes and wildlife in Southeast Asia. Together, we’re strengthening efforts to protect our planet’s wildlife.

📢 Reminder: Our side-event at #CrimeCOP12 is TOMORROW! 🌍️ 🗓️ Date: 17 October  ⏰ Time: 1:00 – 1:50 PM  📍 Location: Vienna International Centre, Room CR7 Join us to explore the vital role of civil society in tackling environmental crimes. We’re excited to see you there!  #UNTOC #WildlifeJustice #EnvironmentalCrimes #CivilSociety #OrganisedCrime #Partnerships 

Double Success in the Fight Against Wildlife Crime in India!   Two wildlife trafficking operations in India were disrupted with the support of actionable intelligence from the Wildlife Justice Commission.   On 5 October, 106 kg of endangered pineapple sea cucumber was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Government of India in Kochi, Kerala. Four suspects were arrested, marking the first sea cucumber seizure tied to Wildlife Justice Commission investigations. Sea cucumbers are a priority species for the Wildlife Justice Commission due to high levels of illegal trade and their critical role in marine ecosystems.   Just a day earlier, a live pangolin weighing 13 kg was rescued near Warangal, Telangana, by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, leading to the arrest of five suspects. Given the rarity of Asian pangolins, each rescue is a crucial step toward the survival of this species. Pangolins are trafficked primarily for their scales and meat despite their vital role in controlling insect populations.   These two operations bring the number of seizures in India resulting from our intelligence in 2024 to six, with a total of 16 suspects arrested in connection with our investigations so far this year.   Pineapple sea cucumbers and pangolins are protected under CITES and India’s Wildlife Protection Act, highlighting the urgent need to address illegal wildlife trade.   We commend the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau for their exceptional work! Together, we are making significant strides in dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding vulnerable species for a brighter future! 🌍 #WildlifeJustice #EndWildlifeCrime #India

🌍 This week, the Wildlife Justice Commission attended the 5th and final meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, in #Strasbourg, France. This last session was focused on finalising the Explanatory Memorandum to the Draft Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. As Observers to these negotiations, we had the opportunity to provide recommendations based on our expertise in #wildlifecrime, along with our partner Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime. We congratulate the Committee for agreeing on an Explanatory Report that will help ensure a robust implementation of the Convention against those that cause irreversible damage to the environment. It is our hope that the Convention is ratified by many Member States of the Council of Europe and others, to enhance coordinated action and international cooperation in combatting environmental crime and protecting wild fauna and flora in Europe & beyond. #CouncilofEurope #EnvironmentalProtection #WildlifeJustice

A busy week ahead for the Wildlife Justice Commission at #CrimeCop12 in #Vienna next week!   From 14 to 18 October, the Twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (#UNTOCCOP) will take place. During this week, crucial discussions will be held, including a draft resolution aimed at enhancing measures to prevent and combat crimes that affect the environment (bit.ly/4eXVA6y), spearheaded by Brazil, France, & Peru. Alongside these discussions, the Wildlife Justice Commission will be speaking at, supporting, and organising several key events. Here is a quick overview of these events:  🌱 15 October, 1 -1:50 PM (CR7): “Tackling the nexus of organized crime and corruption”, organised by the UNCAC Coalition & other partners, including us. We will be speaking at this event & explore how to strengthen linkages between the UNTOC & the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to tackle the intersection of crimes affecting the environment & #corruption.  🐘 17 October, 1-1:50 PM (CR7): “Joint action: Harnessing partnerships to combat crimes that affect the environment” , will explore the critical role of #civilsociety organisations in combatting these crimes, organised by us & other partners.   🦏 17 October, 2- 2:50 PM (CR7): “Wildlife crime has devastating impacts: How enhanced international cooperation can help prevent and combat these serious crimes”, organised by Brazil and supported by Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, & other partners , including us.   🤝 18 October, 2-2:50 PM (M3): “A civil society declaration on more effective implementation of the UNTOC”, organised by the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice & other partners, including us. We will present the part of the declaration (bit.ly/4eZl7wr) relating to crimes that affect the environment.  The Wildlife Justice Commission will also deliver oral statements during the plenary session & engage in important discussions with our partners & counterparts, including States & other NGOs. We hope to see you next week in Vienna!   #UNTOC #WildlifeJustice #EnvironmentalCrimes #CivilSociety #Partnerships

Two weeks ago, we had the honor of hosting an intimate gathering in #NewYorkCity to mark a new chapter for the Wildlife Justice Commission as we continue to expand our global impact into the United States! 🗽 We were joined by a wonderful group of friends and allies, who share our commitment to protect the world’s most endangered species from the growing threat of organised #wildlifecrime. The special evening featured meaningful conversations led by Emmy-winning science correspondent and host of Ologies, Alie Ward, our Executive Director Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Senior Director of Investigation , Steve Carmody and special guests, including Acting Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs , Jennifer R. Littlejohn and Officer in charge of Nigeria Customs Service Special Wildlife Office, Abimbola Oluwaseyi Isafiade. A curated art auction also highlighted incredible works donated by celebrated artists, helping to raise awareness and support for our mission. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this important milestone and helped make the evening so memorable. Together, we can end major wildlife trafficking in our time!

Join our side-event at #CrimeCOP12 in #Vienna next week!  🗓 Date: 17 October  ⏰ Time: 1:00 – 1:50 PM  📍 Location: Vienna International Centre This event will explore the critical role of civil society organisations in combatting crimes that affect the environment by providing expertise, data, technological solutions & fostering collaboration across sectors. Find out how we can work together to protect our environment through financial investigations, innovative strategies & partnerships. Moderated by the Wildlife Justice Commission, with support from France, Peru, USA, Nature Crime Alliance , Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime & Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice #UNTOC #WildlifeJustice #EnvironmentalCrimes #CivilSociety #Partnerships